Improvement in fruit-boxes



. ilivrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

A. F. NnwnLin-or WARREN, oHio.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. EHJGS, dated January 5, 1864.

To all whom it may con/cern.;

Be it known that I, A. F. NEWELL, of Tarren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Grape`Box or Basket, it being a new article of manufacture; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this speciiication.

The nature of my improvement consists in making grape boxes or baskets from thin sheets or strips of wood, so eut that the boxes may be readily shaped and put together with- .I out jointing or connecting any corners of the same by hand, and so that the box may be filled with fruit from the bottom instead of the top, if required, and also that the boxes may be conveniently transported by compressing them together, so as to reduce their bulk without in j u ry, substantially set set forth.

Figure l is a perspective view of the crate, with the boxes inelosed. Fig. 2 isa perspective view of the box. Fig. 3 is a longitudical section. Fig. et represents the box shown in Fig. 2 compressed or folded together so as to reduce its bulk for transportation.v Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the box. The other views will be referred to in the description.

Like letters refer to like parts in the several views.

The thin strips or sheets of which the entire box is made are cut from a bolt or log corresponding in length and width to the size of the box, andv at the same time that the sheets are being cut oif from the log or bolt they are also cut or slit at right angles, about one-half through, at such points or lines as to form all the bendings or turned corners of the entire box, and also the joints or hinges for the covers and cap.

Fig. 6 represents a strip from the log, partly cut through at A, which is bent or formed into the sides and ends of the box, Fig. 2, thc slits A', Fig. 6, .being at the corners A',` Figs. 2 and et. The two ends D lap over each other and are tacked together.

The cover consists of two leaves, C C, Figs. 3 and 5. Thejoint or hinge of the covers is formed by a cut or slit corresponding to A, Fig. 6.

For the purpose of further strengthening the box and protecting the fruit, the cap D, Fig. 7, is placed over the covers by introducing the ends D, which are turned down at right angles into the box at each end, as seen at D D', Fig. 3. The ends may be turned so as to lap or i'old'up upon the section D, as i-ndicated by the dotted lines D D, which thus makes a thin piece, and may be placed in the cavity E of the bottom of the box Fig. 5.

The bottom is composed of the piece shown inl Fig. 9, and which is similar to Fig. 7, excepting that the ends of Fig. 7 become the sides of Figs. 8 and 9, and are narrowed down, as seen at F. To these narrow sides is tacked the strip or rim G, Fig. l0, so as to strengthen the sides F, and forms a rim on four sides, as seen in Fig. 8, and when thus made it is attached to the box, forming the bottom.

For the convenience and safety of transportation, and also for reducing the bulk and freight, the bottoms of the boxes are Withdrawn, and the cap, Fig. 7, folded up and placed in the cavity E, which leaves the box as seen in Fig. 2, 4which may be compressed or folded up as seen in Fig. 4. By this means the entire box may be safely and carefully shipped.

- This box may be used for other fruits besides grapes, and it is desirable in packing the latter to do so with the stems down.

Inusing this box for grapes, it is turned bottom side up. and the grapes packed, and when full the bottom is replaced and tacked to the box.l Thus, in opening the box from the top, the grapes are found packed securely in the desired position.`

Then the boxes are filled with fruit for transportation they may be packed in a crate, Fig. l, for safety and convenience in handling.

The crates, being made substantially, may be continually used for shipping the filled boxes; but when the boxes are empty they may be folded up for transportation, as before mentioned.

That I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Grape and fruit boxes, as a new article of manufacture, composed of thin sheets of wood so-cut, as herein described, that they may be folded into a compact form for transportation before being filled, completed, and secured, as herein set forth.

A. F. NEIVELL.

Iitnessesz W. H. BURRIDGE, A. W. McCLnLLAND. 

